(a) Preservation of Wooded Areas: When preparing and reviewing subdivision plans and landscaping plans, good faith effort shall be made to preserve natural vegetation areas. Streets, lots, structures, and parking areas shall be laid out to avoid the unnecessary destruction of heavily wooded areas or outstanding tree specimens. Developers of land are encouraged to designate heavily wooded areas as park reserves.
(b) Preservation of Major Trees: All major trees shall be preserved; however, the Municipal Administrator or designee may approve a mitigation plan for the cutting down, removal or destruction of a major tree when the tree interferes with the proper development of a lot, provided that the lot is the subject of application for approval of a zoning certificate, a site plan, a development plan, and one of the following applies:
(1) The tree will be located within a public right-of-way or easement;
(2) The tree is located within the areas to be covered by proposed structures or within twelve feet from the perimeter of structures, and the proposed structures cannot be located in a manner to avoid removal of the tree at the same time permitting desirable and logical development of the lot;
(3) The tree will be located within a proposed drive-way designed to service a single-family home;
(4) The tree is damaged, diseased or a safety hazard;
(5) The tree is an undesirable species in its present location.
(Ord. 19-011. Passed 4-22-19.)